Finite-analytic numerical method for unsteady two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations

Abstract

A finite analytic (FA) numerical solution is developed for unsteady two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations. The FA method utilizes the analytic solution in a small local element to formulate the algebraic representation of partial differential equations. The combination of linear and exponential functions that satisfy the governing equation is adopted as the boundary function, thereby improving the accuracy of the finite analytic solution. Two flows, one a starting cavity flow and the other a vortex shedding flow behind a rectangular block, are solved by the FA method. The starting square cavity flow is solved for Reynolds number of 400, 1000, and 2000 to show the accuracy and stability of the FA solution. The FA solution for flow over a rectangular block (H x H/4) predicts the Strouhal number for Reynolds numbers of 100 and 500 to be 0.156 and 0.125. Details of the flow patterns are given. In addition to streamlines and vorticity distribution, rest-streamlines are given to illustrate the vortex motion downstream of the block.